My rod is the Shimano Clarus spinning CSS-86M-2 8'6" medium action, extra fast taper, 9 guide, 8-17lb, 1/4-1oz, 2 piece rod.

I use P-Line which is a blue-gray colored copolymer monofilament line with fairly thin diameter for its line class.

To clear it up, I usually don't use pencil lead much and almost always just go with bass sinkers.

Could my problem be not casting far enough upstream and/or not giving the weight enough time to reach bottom?
Maybe it would help you guys help me to know that I usually fish glacial origin rivers like the Hoh and the Queets.